ILLIG Maschinenbau

What ILLIG Maschinenbau does

ILLIG Maschinenbau, now operating as ILLIG packaging solutions GmbH, is a Heilbronn-headquartered German manufacturer of thermoforming machines, tooling, and packaging systems founded in 1946 and owned since August 2024 by German financial investor Orlando Capital. The company builds roll-fed and sheet-fed thermoforming platforms (RDM, RDF 85 RedLine/BlueLine, RV, UA, UAF, UAg series), packaging systems (HSU, FSL form-fill-seal, XLU series with PLU/CLU/TLU variants), sustainable packaging lines (Dry Fiber Systems, I-PACK, IML-T), and proprietary end-of-line automation (BFU 300/500), combined with in-house tooling, molds, and die-cutting systems. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of complex, configurably-engineered industrial systems sold directly to enterprise packaging manufacturers, complemented by high-margin recurring streams from spare parts, technical service agreements, upgrades (e.g., third heating stations), and packaged development services such as Pactivity 360° packaging consulting, with pricing on per-machine project basis plus multi-year service contracts. Customer end-markets span food packaging (primary), automotive and e-mobility, logistics/industrial, cosmetics/personal care, and healthcare/medical, served through wholly-owned subsidiaries in France, the UK, the USA, Japan, China, Latin America, and Romania (Sibiu production), independent sales agents, and an installed base of 10,000+ machines across more than 80 countries.

Name

ILLIG Maschinenbau

Legal name

ILLIG packaging solutions GmbH

Website

https://illig.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

ILLIG Maschinenbau is a German manufacturer of thermoforming machines, tooling, and packaging systems serving enterprise food packaging, automotive, logistics, cosmetics, and healthcare manufacturers worldwide through wholly-owned subsidiaries and an installed base of 10,000+ machines in over 80 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Heilbronn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Thermoforming Machines and Systems: Sale of thermoforming machines including RDM, RDF, RV, UA, UAF, and UAG series for processing thermoplastics and sheet materials into packaging and industrial components.
2. Tooling and Molds: Design, manufacture, and supply of thermoforming tools, molds, and die-cutting systems as part of integrated production lines.
3. Packaging Systems: Complete form-fill-seal lines (FSL), hot seal units (HSU), and end-of-line solutions for automated packaging operations.
4. Spare Parts and Components: Replacement parts, accessories, consumables (lubricants, coolants, corrosion protection), and wearing parts for machines and tools.
5. Technical Service and Support: Technical training, process optimization, monitoring services, remote support via ILLIG Assist platform, and service agreements.
6. Upgrades and Modernization: Upgrade packages for existing machines including third heating stations, servo motor conversions, and quick tool change systems.
7. Packaging Development Services: 360° Pactivity® packaging development from concept to production, including material selection, tooling design, and process optimization for sustainable solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ILLIG Maschinenbau designs, manufactures, and sells thermoforming machines, tooling systems, and packaging systems for processing thermoplastics and paper/cardboard into packaging and industrial components. Its portfolio includes roll-fed thermoforming systems (RDF 85), sheet processing machines (UAF, UAg), form-fill-seal lines (FSL 48), hot seal units (HSU), and sustainable packaging solutions such as Dry Fiber Systems and I-PACK. The company complements its hardware with proprietary technologies (IML-T, Cleantivity, Pactivity), tooling, spare parts, technical service, and the ILLIG Assist digital service platform.

Product overview

ILLIG Maschinenbau is a leading global supplier of thermoforming and packaging systems, offering a comprehensive portfolio of machines, tools, and services. The product lineup includes roll-fed thermoforming systems (RDF 85 REDLINE, RDF 85 XL), sheet processing machines (UAF, UAg), form-fill-seal lines (FSL 48), and packaging systems (HSU 650, XLU series with PLU/CLU/TLU variants). The company also provides sustainable packaging solutions including Dry Fiber Systems for cellulose-based packaging, I-PACK® paper-plastic composites, and IML-T® in-mold labeling technology. Services include Pactivity® 360° packaging development, ILLIG Assist digital service platform, technical training, spare parts, and upgrades. The portfolio is complemented by proprietary tooling systems and comprehensive customer support across 80+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dry Fiber Systems: Modular production system for manufacturing dry fiber packaging from natural cellulose fibers
• XLU Series
• RDF 85 RedLine
• HSU Series
• I-PACK®
• IML-T®
• Cleantivity®
• Pactivity®
• ILLIG Assist
• I-PACK® Cardboard

Products and services

• RDF 85 RedLine High-performance roll-fed thermoforming system with open tool interface allowing use of third-party and competitor tools. Targets cost-efficient production of precisely formed parts for enterprise packaging manufacturers.
• RDF 85 XL Enlarged and reinforced version of the RDF 85 with Sencorp 2500 tool compatibility via open tool interface for the North and Central American markets. Forming area 920mm, punching force 80 tons.
• UAF Sheet Processing Machine Sheet processing thermoforming machine with flexible clamping frames for small to medium batch sizes with frequent tool changes. Features automatic sheet loading, integrated preheating and finish heating, tool change under 30 minutes, and energy-efficient servo motors.
• UAg Sheet Processing System Sheet processing thermoforming system known for very short cycle times and maximum output. Fixed clamping frames achieve highest final vacuum levels. Forming areas from 270 x 170 mm to 2,450 x 1,450 mm with drawing depths up to 700 mm.
• FSL 48 Form-Fill-Seal Line Form, fill and seal line designed for the food industry, particularly dairy. Decorates packaging with IML-T during thermoforming, hygienically fills food, and seals in one step. Multi-lane filler with CIP and SIP capabilities handling up to 8 different product types simultaneously.
• HSU 650 Hot Seal Unit Hot Seal Unit packaging system for producing cardboard blisters and sustainable packaging solutions. Capable of processing different material combinations for branded product protection with original sealed packaging.
• XLU 40 Modular Machine Modular machine concept including PLU (Pulp Lamination Unit), CLU (Cardboard Lamination Unit), and TLU (Tray Labeling Unit) for lamination and labeling solutions in food and cosmetics industries.
• Dry Fiber Systems Modular production system for manufacturing sustainable packaging from dry natural cellulose fibers. Scalable from 20 to 120 million packages per year. Winner of German Packaging Award and Umwelttechnikpreis Baden-Württemberg 2025.
• I-PACK Sustainable paper-plastic composite packaging brand with easy separation for recycling. Reduces plastic usage by over 50% with mono-PP inlay for food products.
• IML-T Cardboard In-mold labeling technology for thermoforming combined with cardboard packaging. Plastic-cardboard combination designed for recycling with up to five-sided decoration capabilities.
• BFU 300 and BFU 500 Box Filling Units Box filling units for fully automated cartoning of products directly downstream of the thermoforming process. Based entirely on ILLIG's own drive, software and control technology, replacing third-party systems.
• PLU 40 Pulp Lamination Unit Pulp Lamination Unit for lamination of cups and trays made from pulp with up to 90mm drawing depth. Processes very thin films from 50 micrometers for dairy and food products packaging.
• Pactivity 360 Degree Packaging Development 360 degree custom-made packaging development service from initial idea through mold design to production system, supporting customers in sustainable and recyclable packaging design.
• ILLIG Assist Digital Service Platform Digital service platform for Industry 4.0 remote support using Microsoft HoloLens 2 augmented reality for remote technical maintenance, machine health checks, virtual commissioning, and factory acceptance tests. Developed with IIoT partner elunic.
• Technical Training Courses Operator training courses offered at ILLIG's Technical Training Center in Heilbronn. Pricing: EUR 371 for 2-day courses, EUR 557 for 3-day courses, EUR 464 for 2.5-day courses. Dualis-certified training programs.
• Spare Parts, Components and Upgrades Replacement parts, accessories, consumables (lubricants, coolants, corrosion protection), and wearing parts for ILLIG machines and tools. Upgrade packages include third heating stations, servo motor conversions, and quick tool change systems for existing machines.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy savings of up to 30% per machine
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered regional, strategic and core.

• Tasman MachineryregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 August 2025Melbourne-based company appointed as new sales representative for Australia and New Zealand covering full range of ILLIG thermoforming systems. Partnership takes effect immediately.
• SencorpstrategicTechnology or Integration · 25 April 2024Tool compatibility partnership enabling RDF 85 XL thermoforming system to use Sencorp 2500 tools without adaptation, targeting North and Central American markets.
• LeygatechregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2023French film manufacturer hosting live demonstration of ILLIG PLU 40 pulp lamination technology at open house event in Yssingeaux, France.
• R-CyclestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2022ILLIG joined R-Cycle initiative for digital product passports supporting true circular economy. Partnership enables recording and retrieval of packaging characteristics for better recycling, contributing to plastic packaging digital traceability standards.
• Boucherie Borghi GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2020Belgian group cooperation strengthens manufacturing and packaging of products in oral care, medical care, and personal care fields. Boucherie offers toothbrush, household brush, and personal care production solutions while ILLIG supplies thermoforming and packaging systems.
• elunicstrategicTechnology or Integration · 27 May 2020Munich-based IIoT software company partnered to develop digital service platform 'ILLIG Assist' for Industry 4.0 support, enabling customers' journey toward fully networked factories.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Packaging Technology: Bosch Packaging Technology (now Syntegon) is a broad industrial packaging machinery incumbent with substantial resources. It competes with ILLIG in form-fill-seal systems, particularly for pharmaceutical and food packaging applications.
• Multivac: Multivac is a larger German packaging machinery incumbent offering thermoforming, tray-sealing, and labeling systems for food, medical, and consumer goods. While broader in scope, Multivac directly overlaps with ILLIG in thermoforming-based packaging lines.
• GEA Group: GEA is a large German industrial conglomerate with food processing and packaging machinery divisions. While broader than ILLIG, GEA overlaps in form-fill-seal solutions and packaging equipment for dairy, beverage, and food customers.
• ProMach: ProMach is a US-based broad packaging machinery provider serving food, beverage, and consumer goods with thermoforming, filling, and labeling solutions. It is a larger incumbent competitor with overlapping customer segments.

Direct peers

• Brown Machine (MAAC Machinery): Brown Machine is a US-based manufacturer of thermoforming equipment for plastic packaging, with comparable roll-fed and sheet-fed systems. It directly competes with ILLIG in North American food and consumer packaging markets.
• GEISS AG: GEISS AG is a German-based competitor specializing in thermoforming machinery, CNC milling, and plastic welding, serving automotive, aerospace, and packaging customers. It is a direct peer in thermoforming equipment with overlapping customer segments.
• Sencorp (CeraTek): Sencorp is a US-based thermoforming machinery and tooling manufacturer with whom ILLIG has a partnership for Sencorp 2500 tool compatibility. It is a direct peer serving similar packaging customers with roll-fed and cut-sheet thermoforming systems.
• Kiefel (Brückner Group): Kiefel, part of Brückner Group, is a direct competitor in thermoforming machinery for packaging, automotive, and refrigeration applications. Both are German-headquartered specialists with global service networks and comparable product portfolios in roll-fed and sheet-fed thermoforming.

Emerging players

• Formech International: Formech is a UK-based manufacturer of vacuum thermoforming machinery primarily serving prototyping, R&D, and small-batch production. It overlaps with ILLIG's UAF small-to-medium batch segment but is smaller and focused on lower-throughput applications.
• Asano Laboratories Co., Ltd. Asano Laboratories is a Japanese manufacturer of thermoforming and vacuum forming machinery serving food packaging and industrial applications. It is a regional specialist competitor with some overlap with ILLIG's food packaging segment in Asia-Pacific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4zbPfsz11PtP7MzPiyvblw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ILLIG Maschinenbau